Fall Beauty Lessons From a Makeup Mastermind

When we need advice, we like to go straight to the pros. Here, we're talking all things beauty with the Director of Global Makeup Artistry for Estée Lauder, Blair Patterson, who's worked with Brooke Shields, Lily Tomlin, Carolyn Murphy, Constance Jablonski, and more. He let us in on the mood for fall ("warm, sophisticated, and playful"), the biggest trends and must-have products, and one thing every woman needs to know.

Some of fall's biggest trends are nothing new: glossy red lips, a full, manicured brow, and satin skin (not too matte, not too dewy). When it comes to looks that are no longer on-trend, Patterson doesn't really see things that way. "If something works for you, rock it," he says. "Just make sure you're checking in with your makeup routine as frequently as you update your wardrobe. If it makes you look older or tired, wash it off your face. Other than that, always have fun, try new things, and practice, practice, practice! "

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Anna Sui and Derek Lam fall 2014. Photo Credit: Imaxtree/Getty

Surprising Fall Makeup Trends (and How to Get Them)

Smoky green eyes. This fall is all about big eyes in shades of sage and olive. To get the look, apply white eyeliner on the lid or a light concealer as a base to soften the pigments, then blend in the shadows. The end result should be a soft and sophisticated watercolor effect.

Disheveled eyeliner. The eyeliner we saw on the fall 2014 runways was "not too perfect," says Patterson. To accomplish this, the key is to bring attention to the lashes by lining the eye just above or under the natural lash line so you can see a bit of skin.

Marc by Marc Jacobs and DKNY fall 2014. Photo Credit: Imaxtree

Three Top Makeup Mistakes

-Patterson believes getting stuck in a routine is the most common mistake. "Try something new," he says. "You can always go back to what is comfortable, but you may be surprised!"

-Women also often forget to balance the eyes and lips. "If you love a bold lip, keep the eyes neutral and vice versa," recommends Patterson. And try not to apply too much eyeliner or foundation. "Start light and build up to what works best with your needs.

-Finally, don't forget to pay attention to your eyebrows. "It is so important to shape your brows—they frame the entire face."

"I can't work or survive without it," says Patterson. "I use it at least five times during every makeup application, sometimes more. The amount of things it can do besides what it was designed to do is large enough for its own interview."